Rhinestone pack

Ximena

I got up from bed the next day with a raging headache, I was still pissed from what had happened last night and the air that hovered around me was that of great anger.

“Ximena, father did what he could, you wouldn't return home that’s why—“ Xena tried to explain as I made my way to the bathroom.

“Really? That was the best way he could convince me? By lying and making me crazy with worry?” I retorted with anger.

“You’ve ignored their words for six years, Ximena. They were desperate, they love us so much to lie just to get us back—“ She tried to explain but no explanation was justifiable for what had happened.

“No. That was too extreme and I meant every word I said to them. I’m never returning back to the pack and I mean it.” I replied vehemently and I heard Xena whimper sadly.

Not even her sad cries would make me go back, my mind is made up already.

“Why? It’s been six years and not once have you felt anything after the rejection. The bond has been severed and even if you see the Alpha today, it won’t mean anything.” Xena pointed out and I scoffed as I stepped out of the bathroom with my body dripping with water.

“So because it’s been years already, you expect me to go back? And do what? Pretend like I’m okay? Pretend like I was never hurt? Like the pack members have changed and they wouldn’t look down on me! They wouldn’t taunt me for running away and redig the past! Like I wouldn’t be taunted for losing twice to the same person? Pretend like it wouldn’t kill me to see him and my nemesis living the best life in happiness?” My voice was filled with sadness as I asked these questions and she went quiet, too frightened to think of an answer.

“You never had intentions to return— You followed me here that day not because I was leading you but because you knew your possibility of dying was high and you wanted to die.” Xena finally understood and I closed my eyes softly, a small tear slipping out as I felt a strong force abstractly rip off a part of my heart.

“It doesn’t matter, there’s no need to revisit the past.” I replied and she scowled angrily.

“It matters, you’re running away from the past, you’re nothing but a coward. You can put up a ruthless and brave act in front of everyone and fool them but it wouldn’t change the fact that you’re a scared cat who is afraid of moving forward and that’s why your heart would never heal!” Xena’s words were the second most painful words I had ever heard in my life.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and wiped the tears that had managed to escape. It took me a few minutes to get myself together and after doing that, the first thing I did was shut Xena out, there was no use letting her hurt me.

I walked out with a forlorn face, heading downstairs to get breakfast and I smiled softly when I saw Grandmother.

“Good morning, grandmother.” I muttered.

“You’re back already? Isn’t it too early?” She asked and I knew she was aware of everything that had happened.

“I don’t wish to talk about it.” I replied firmly and she nodded. “Just remember that there’s no time left and nobody is immortal.” She replied as she patted my shoulder before leaving while I exhaled deeply as I began eating.

The food tasted bland and I forced myself to take a few bites before I abandoned it. There was no use stuffing myself because it all tasted like bitter pills.

I decided to take the wagon to the town and drive around until my heating head cooled down. I grabbed the keys from where they were being hung and made my way outside.

“Ximena, wait.” I heard someone call my name just as I was about to enter the car and turning around, I was slightly surprised to see the Beta.

“The Alpha wants to see you.” He announced and I nodded softly, slightly perplexed as I wondered why the Alpha would want to see me after we had discussed yesterday.

The Alpha and I met and discussed only once in a week about training and not even emergencies had made us meet twice in one week and this bothered me more than it was supposed to.

“Is this because of Eloise?” I found myself thinking inwardly. Did he call this meeting to punish me for slapping Eloise?

I nodded at the Beta before I got into the wagon, my destination different now as I drove out of the house.

I was prepared to accept whatever punishment he bestowed on me and it wouldn’t deter me from hitting her another time if she crossed her boundaries.

I alighted from the wagon when I got to the gate of the pack house. Nobody, not even the beta, was daring enough to drive his car into the Alpha’s compound.

I walked into the compound while acknowledging the guards and maids who greeted me with respect.

Xena must be a joker, why would I leave all these to return to where I was bullied for years? Why would I throw away what I had worked my ass of to become for a family who didn’t give a fuck about grandmother? What offence had grandmother committed that was so unforgivable?

I pushed all these thoughts behind me as I entered the house. I tried to free my mind, I didn’t want the Alpha to scent my worries.

“Alpha.” I whispered softly as I bowed my head while walking into his office which had been left open.

“Ximena, sit.” His words always carried authority and I nodded, sitting on the chair as I stared at the ground and played with my fingers. I was very nervous.

He was glancing at a file and for more than five minutes, we both stayed in silence. “I want you to do a special task for me.” He announced and relief swept all my worries away in a matter of seconds.

“I want you to protect a pack— Not just you, I’ll be transferring you and a few of my most powerful warriors to another pack.” He announced and I felt a strange indignation, this wasn’t right in several ways but I couldn’t protest. My opinion wasn’t needed, all I do is follow commands.

“This pack is in grave danger and they need all the help they can get. Rogues are constantly attacking.” These words made something jolt inside of me as Xena became piqued with interest.

We were both thinking the same thing. There was only one pack that was constantly under attack from rogues, the Armstrong pack— Years back they had always attacked and it was by the goddess’s mercy my family and I had escaped all attacks.

My heart began galloping strenuously, this is crazy— Breathing became strained, I felt my throat closing slowly.

“The pack is the closest pack to us and they’re in need of our help and I’ll never refuse, you are moving to the pack, you will stay there until the whole battle is over.” He announced and cold sweat broke out of my forehead.

My palms were covered in sweat, the cold room turned hot immediately and it felt like there wasn’t enough air, I needed an open space.

Goosebumps were beginning to appear all over my hands, my hands began trembling with fright.

“It is the—“

I needed to be far away from this place, or the Armstrong pack— I could hear their taunts, the way they pointed and laughed at me in the market— The looks of hatred and disdain flashed in my head and I felt myself having a panic attack.

“Rhinestone pack.” He announced as he grabbed his phone, answering a call and I closed my eyes, filled with great happiness that it wasn’t the Armstrong pack.

My racing heart slowed down and the dull ache that was hammering at the back of my brain disappeared while I felt my goosebumps disappear slowly.

He made a gesture with his hand for me to leave and with heavy legs but a grateful heart, I made my way out.